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Xherdan Shaqiri admits the Premier League is tough but believes Stoke can get the points to stay up

Stoke forward Xherdan Shaqiri says they need to pull together if they are to steer clear of the Premier League relegation zone with four games to go.

Paul Lambert’s side remain second from bottom and are five points from safety after Andy Carroll’s last-minute equaliser deprived them of a vital win at West Ham on Monday night.

When asked if Stoke can avoid the drop, Shaqiri told Sky Sports News: “Of course, we have four games to go and the belief is there. We have to win some games, it is that simple.

West Ham 1-1 Stoke

“We have two home games, two away games so if we win the two home games and one away maybe we are still in. We will believe until the end that we are still here.”

Those four matches begin with a home game against Burnley next Saturday, followed by a trip to Liverpool on April 28 before another home fixture against Crystal Palace a week later, with both matches live on Sky Sports, and the final game at Swansea on May 13.

Shaqiri, who signed from Inter Milan and previously played for Bayern Munich, is not used to a relegation battle but he says now is the time for unity.

“It is my first time (in this situation) but we have big players and they have to be good in these games.

West Ham 1-1 Stoke

“We have to do better because it has been like this all season. Always in the last minute, there has been something to change the game and it has not happened [for us].

“The Premier League is so tough, every team is going to take every little chance and it has been like this all season.

“I hope that in the last four games we stay together and we win a minimum of three games.”